Smyrna times., 1887-07-20
THE STREETS OF MEXICO.
The Dudes and the Ladies-,A CaIifOrni.
IerrOr-ShOwY Costumes.

The Dudes and the Ladies-,A CaIifOrDi
TerrOr-ShOwy Costumes.
AT certain hours of the dav and il
certain portions of the more fashionabl
frequented streets the way is lined witt
variety of sidewalk statues, who. 70
smartness of attire and vapidity of cOun
tenance, will compare not unfavorabl,
with the glorious American dude. The
are known among the discerninl
MeXlcans-whO are masters of the art O
terse and graphic classification with re
gard to salient pOints-2s lagartiios. o.
lizards, from the tenacitv with which
they hug the walls along the narrow
sidewalks, while they Ogle the ladie:
gong to or from church or the promen,
AIDES. These '.lizards'' have an amiablt
habit of making, with the utmost com
posure, in a perfectly audible voice,
highly complimentary observations con-
cerning such members of the fair sex as
may be fortunate enough to meet with
their critical appreciation. ''Sweetnessv'
''What dear darlingl' ''How 1 love
you precious blOnde!'' 'Come here.
pretty thing, and kiss me!'' Such are
more Of the refined and chivalric modes
OF address practiced by these young-and
not always yOung-dandies.
Also, if they can muster a few words
OF English, they are fond of delivering
them for the benefit of women of foreign
appearance-at Il severe penalty, as will
be seen. These amenities are called. in
the expressive language of the country.
throwing flowers" The manikins
really mean no offense by the habit. but
rather consider it a delicate attention and
tribute due to the presumptive charm
OF the fair, the custom being another dis
agreeable relic surviving from the OBJ
lechonable phases of the Spanish regime
The usage is, happily, lessening. and no
doubt will soon be obsolete.
1t Is curious and characteristic to oh
serve how differently the habit is regarded
by the ladies of different nations. The
Spanish women resident in Mexico COM
plain that these gallantries are not suffi-
cIently pronounced and declare that
Mexican men are cold blOOded reptiles.
perfect sticks, in short, with the very
tamest ideas as to making their atten-
tons impressive and acceptable to ladies.
the Mexican women endure the imperti
nences as an affiictiOn, offensive and
lowering to their dignity, but one which
they are impOtent to avoid, thanks to the
submissive attitude of femininitv in the
country. American women in Mexico
oIten do not understand enough Spanish
TO know the import of these speeches. but
when they do understand it. it goes
hard with the offender. He is sure to re-
celve some token of resentment. if only n
scOwl.
Two casas. aro ~, ,.ooo,5 e -.
sels-One, it goes without saving. was q
strong minded BOstonian lass-who. in
the might of their righteous Indignation
at what they deemed deliberate result.
iald across the faces of the culprits a sue
cesslon of vigorous whacks with a nara
sOl. But perhaps the most effective ex-
unguisher Is thst employed bv Cafi-
lorna young lady. She knows Spanish
IKE native, and when she hears Obser- |
vatiOns from the dandies directed toward |
herself, she walks up to the nearest police- |
man, points out the delinquent and saws. |
II Is against the police regulations to per
mt INSULT to foreigners. You will have |
the goodness to take that man in charge - |
ana she stays near to see that the gend- !
arme complies. She has made herself |
considerable Of a terror to the lagartiios
and the Mexican ladies commend her |
realizing that such treatment goes
Tar to correct the abuse. PObres lagarti-
Jos! Their type must be extinct ere many
years.
The streets Of Mexico borrow much Of
9ayety, picturesqueness-y and of ele-
gance-frOm the rich charro suits. prom
erly riding dress. but sometimes worn
when on foot. It comprises tro,sers
closed down the outer seams. with double
rows Of large silver buttons linked To
gether with chains; short roundabout
jackets, with elaborate silver cIasps. and
broad hats braided and embroidered with
silver; snowy scrapes to be strapped be-
llnd the saddle. Formerly the priest
lOod was conspicuous on the streets Of
Mexico. but they make little figure since
ne enactment Of the reform laws. one of
whose provisions fOrbids the wearing, of
clerical vestments on the public streets.
lhls prohibition is not rigidJy carried ont
n the interior, but it is enforced eOrne-
SnaL Vigorously in the capital. Most
Priests wear large wide cloak. which is
distinctive, while it is not ex-
,iuslveiy clerical in usage, and therefore
ioes not violate the law.
some months ago the bishop Of Roches-
er (Episcopalian) visited Mexico. and
Ippearlng on the streets in his robes of
'iiiee. he was accOsted by a gendarme.
yho respectfully but firmly informed lin
hat the public display of the lawn sleeves
'tc., was an infEactiOn of the law. and
must be Discontinued His worsbiD was
% dlsgusted lr the intimatiOn that he
sit at the end of two days instead az re-
naming fortnight, as he had contem-
hated Not the least striking OF the
treet sights in this city is the naivete and
.ood faith with which people march TO
he baths through the streets. carving
owels, etc, frankly confessed in a shawl
trapped bundle; and a very pretty feature
the return Of the ladies from tic banos
sIih loose flowing hair streaming oyer
ne shawl or mantilla worn on uncere-
nonlous Occasions.-Y. II. Adds In San
Chronicle.